Moscow Flyer - failed to sparkle (Getty).
FLYER FAILS TO SPARKLE
By Nick Robson, PA Sport
Many racegoers stayed on after racing at Leopardstown on Sunday to watch a large group of Cheltenham-bound horses go through their paces. Much of what is done on these occasions is merely of a routine nature, but important hints can be picked up nonetheless, as much by observing the reaction of those who know the horses best as by viewing the actual work. In this instance, it was clear that neither Jessica Harrington nor Barry Geraghty was enthusiastic after Moscow Flyer had jumped four fences in a schooling-session and done a piece of work that lacked obvious sparkle. The defending champion hurdler Hardy Eustace performed satisfactorily in a work-out in which Ger O'Leary's Champion Bumper runner First Author attracted favourable notice. Al Eile looked in good shape for his Champion Hurdle bid, and Asian Maze satisfied trainer Tom Mullins in advance of her World Hurdle venture. Willie Mullins brought the majority of his Festival probables, including four of his five bumper candidates who worked in company with veteran hurdler Adamant Approach, the one absentee being Freds Benefit. It is hard to be categorical about the significance of the riding arrangements, but there were many observers who reckoned that the presence of Ruby Walsh on Ballytrim represented a declaration of preference. Irish Invader, ridden by Walsh's sister Katie, finished adrift of his galloping companions. Gold Cup possible Hedgehunter and Royal &SunAlliance Chase hopeful Our Ben were amongst a group of Mullins-trained horses who jumped eight fences. Perhaps the most impressive worker on view was Edward O'Grady's Coral Cup hope Sky's The Limit who looked well primed for action when racing clear of a group that included the well-regarded novice O'Muircheartaigh who has not run since his surprise defeat in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December. Michael O'Brien and Geraghty were the headline makers in real race action at Leopardstown on Sunday, each recording a treble, and sharing in two of the successes. Following an emphatic victory on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse the previous weekend, In Compliance made it two from two. He was well in command when recent Gowran winner Brutto Facie fell when lying second at the last, bringing down the previous Sunday's Naas winner Lordofourown who was beaten in third at the time. Prior to the race O'Brien had already ruled out a bid for the Arkle Trophy with In Compliance, taking the view that his campaign had started too late in the season to provide an adequate preparation. The principal reason for the delay in getting the six-year-old to the track this season was a difficulty in getting him relaxed, and that problem seems to have been overcome. Geraghty got him nicely settled and the only blemish on his round was a slight tendency to jump to the right. This should be corrected with a little more experience, and his future appears bright. O'Brien, who will now prepare him for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, is talking in terms of training him as a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup contender next season. A second hurdles win for the Sadler's Wells gelding Parliament Square provided the first leg of O'Brien's treble, completed when De Valira justified the trainer's pre-race confidence with an emphatic win in the bumper. The promising four-year-old Shantou gelding is a half-brother to talented hurdler Valiramix who suffered a fatal injury when travelling like a winner in the 2002 Champion Hurdle. Geraghty's treble was initiated by Mister Top Notch who won the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle with plenty in hand, taking advantage of a drop in class having run against some useful novices earlier in the season. Winner of two bumpers last season, and also eighth to Missed That at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old from David Fitzgerald's County Limerick yard should make an effective novice chaser over staying distances next season. On a day when punters had the upper hand, with five winning favourites, Schindlers Hunt was a marginal odds-on chance in the two-mile maiden hurdle and won handily in the end, though it might have been close but for the fact that Kalderon blundered badly when throwing down a challenge at the last. A multiple winner in Flat handicaps in Germany, and a Listed winner in France last autumn, Kalderon was having his first start since joining Tom Hogan and has the physique to make an impact over jumps. There were form-lines to suggest that the Noel Meade-trained Khetaam was potentially well handicapped in the Madigans Intervarsity Handicap Hurdle, but having been off the track since November 2003 and overlooked by both Paul Carberry and Denis O'Regan it was hardly surprising that he was allowed to go off a 20-1 chance. Ridden by Alan Crowe, he took it up at the last and quickly went clear, leaving Meade to contemplate a run in the County Hurdle. It took an inspirational ride by Tony McCoy for New Field to make it two from two in handicap chases by holding off Star Clipper's late challenge in the Mick Holly Handicap Chase. The Supreme Leader gelding jumped indifferently and needed the full McCoy treatment from the last fence to defy an 11lb rise in the ratings stemming from a Naas win.
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